The Alpha and the Mistake novel Chapter 5

I couldn't believe my eyes when I opened the door and saw him standing there. "Harry didn't throw you out?" Traitor.

"Why would he do that?" A lazy, yet smug smirk spread across his lips.

I did my best to ignore the way it made the butterflies in my stomach flutter. I leaned against the door, barely holding in the sigh. "You're not leaving, are you?"

He shook his head side to side. "Nope."

I left the door open as I sat on my bed cross-legged. Harry and I would talk about this. "I'd ask you why — why go through all this trouble? Yet, one of the first things I learned about your kind is you don't make any sense."

I expected him to get angry, but instead, his smirk turned into a smile. "Hey, there is a method to our chaos I have you know." He walked around the room. Dean paused at every picture, every decoration, every stuffed animal I still clung too. It was unnerving, almost as bad as if he had opened my underwear drawer and went through it.

He stopped at a picture of Dad and me and picked it up. I stiffened. "Don't you dare," I warned him. "Say what you want about me, but don't you dare say anything about my dad." I didn't care how much I would regret it later, but I wouldn't let them talk crap about Dad.

Dean set down the picture, looking sad and something like hurt. "I get you don't believe me, but I'm not like Mike. I don't enjoy making a stupid show of how badass I am by picking on those weaker than me. I only hang around Mike because I have to. In truth, I'd love nothing more than to break his stupid face, but that'd cause too much trouble for the people I care about."

Oh? Something about Dean made me believe him. Crazy, right? "If what you're saying is true then why are you here? If Mike found out you've been here, talking to me, he'd have kittens."

Dean laughed and shrugged. "Some things are worth the risk."

I stared at him, debating if mental illness was possible among werewolves. There was no way Dean's mental health was in good standing. "You are the most confusing person I've met, and that is saying a lot." I shook my head. "Whatever game you're playing keep my mom out. Dad's death broke her. Harry changed that, made her happy. I won't have you ruining that."

"What about you?" His smile soured into a frown. "She'd want you to be happy and safe? Do you think she'd be happy knowing what her happiness is costing you?"

His words stung deep inside me. Guilt swirled in my stomach. I knew Mom wouldn't like it, but what choice did I have. Besides, it was almost over. One more year and I'd be eighteen. I could go anywhere I wanted, away from werewolves and Mike. A little bit of patience and I would be free. "Exactly why I don't tell her."

I appreciated Dean's whole side with the underdog thing. His concern was kind of sweet, but I didn't need it. "This is none of your business. You're here a week maybe two? Do what you have to do. Don't worry about me or my life. It's not your problem."

"Yes, it is. You're — " Dean frowned, ran a hand through his hair. "What about yourself, Brook?"

Ugh, why couldn't he let it go? "Okay, I tried to be nice, now I'll be blunt. I'm not your friend or your good deed for the month. I do not need your help nor do I want your help. What I want is for you to leave. I do have homework and I'm tired."

Frustration was obvious on his face. I cringed, waiting for the oncoming argument. Instead, he sighed, ran his hands through his hair before walking to the door. At the doorway, he turned. "What's happening to you is wrong, Brook. I promise I will make this better for you."

Dean left, and I stared at the empty doorway in horror. I would've been less scared if he told me he planned to dine on my liver with some fava beans and a nice chianti. Damn it. Figures, I'd run into the one werewolf with a hero complex. He would ruin everything. I had to stop him, I wasn't sure how, but I couldn't let Dean interfere.

Not knowing what else to do, I started my homework. That's right ladies and gentleman; Hell hath frozen over. I am doing homework but not because I have to but because I needed the distraction. What is the world coming to?

"I care."

Mike continued to cackle and snicker. I glared at him, noticing he had a nasty black eye. It piqued my curiosity, but I'd never ask. I knew it was none of my business. I tried again to go inside, but he stopped me again. "Mike, seriously!" I grimaced, realizing I used his name.

Instead of hitting me, Mike dragged me away from the school. "Screw School! Come on, let's go."

For the first few clumsy steps, I tried to worm my way out from under his arm. I tried to tell him to let me go but he ignored me, as usual. Mike was too strong so I gave up until I realized he was heading to the woods.

The woods was their playground. Fear slammed into me, and I dug my heels into the grass. "Wait. Mike, where are you going?"

"Quit being such a whiny bitch," Mike said and slapped me hard across the face.

On the ground, white bursts flooded my vision as the metallic tang of blood filled my mouth. I touched my lip and winced. He busted my lip which was against the rules. How would I explain this to Mom?

Mike scowled and grabbed my wrist. He jerked me to my feet so hard I thought he might pull my arm off. "Come on."

I swallowed, fear welling in my gut as he forced me into the woods with him. This wasn't typical Mike. Something was very wrong. I glanced behind us, at school. A moment ago it seemed like hell, now the school was my salvation. A Salvation beyond my reach.